The first new group of Practical Nursing students admitted to the program are expected to start in mid-May, the college stated in a news release Thursday.

In the coming months, Bay plans to release detailed information on admission requirements, application timelines, financial aid opportunities and upcoming information sessions.

“This approval represents an important step forward for our institution and the communities we serve,” Bay College Dean of Allied Health and Nursing Dr. Patrick Reinhard said in the news release. “By offering practical nursing education close to home, we are creating pathways to meaningful careers while addressing critical health care staffing needs across our region.”

The college’s Practical Nursing program was paused in February 2025 after it was discovered the program lacked proper accreditation. Students enrolled at that time were able to complete coursework as scheduled to graduate last May, and past graduates were unaffected.

THE BAY COLLEGE Iron Mountain campus on U.S. 2 on the city’s north side. (Daily News file photo)

Although the Michigan Board of Nursing approved Bay College’s nursing program in 1967, the three-semester nursing program reportedly did not meet requirements set out by the same board in 2018, college officials stated.

Bay College has all the necessary equipment, faculty and personnel in place to quickly resume the nursing courses, as well as hands-on training labs that are part of its program at campuses in Escanaba and Iron Mountain, the college stated in a May news release.

At that time, the college’s proposed timeline included BON campus visits in September with a possible board vote in November to reinstate the program.

But the college announced in September that relaunch had to be delayed from January to summer or fall of this year so the board could review clarification on seven items at its November meeting, adding the BON assured officials such clarification requests are routine.

In the news release, the college extended its gratitude to state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, for his support and advocacy with the state Board of Nursing to obtain this approval. The collaboration with community partners, health care leaders, faculty and supporters helped make this achievement possible as well, the news release stated.